Social Studies School Based Assessment

2023

Name:
School:
Teacher:
Grade: 11
Title: Ganja Smoking among young people in Nightingale Grove

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENTS PAGES

Acknowledgement ……………………………………………………………………...3

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………..4

Statement of Problem …………………………………………………………………..5

Reason for Selecting Topic ……………………………………………………………..6

Method of Data Collection ………………………………………………………….….7

Data Collection Instrument ……………………………………………………………..8

Procedure used to collect Data …………………………………………………….…..13

Presentation and Analysis of Data …………………………………………………….14

Interpretation of Data ………………………………………………………………….19

Findings ……………………………………………………………………………….22

Recommendations and Implementation Strategy …………………………………......23

Bibliography …………………………………………………………………………..24

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 Acknowledgement

The successful completion of this investigation would not have been possible without the

assistance and cooperation of a number of people. Therefore, I would like to thank our families,

friends and community members who encouraged, assisted and participated in this research. I

would to thank my teacher who guided me every step of the way throughout the exercise.

Finally, I want to thank God for giving me the wisdom, knowledge and understanding and

perseverance to complete this project.

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 Introduction

Nightingale Grove is a small community in the parish of St. Elizabeth. I have been a resident of

this community for over 16 years. As a member of the community I have observed that a number

of residents my age practice Ganja smoking, which at times has a negative effect on them and

their families. Therefore, I have decided to conduct a research into the causes, consequences and

possible solution to Ganja Smoking among young people in Nightingale Grove.

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Task One
Topic: Ganja Smoking among young people in Nightingale Grove

Statement of Problem:
1. What is the main cause, effect and solution to ganja smoking among youths in

Nightingale Grove?

Purpose of Research:

2. The purpose of the research is to investigate the main cause, effect and solution of ganja

smoking among young people in Nightingale Grove.

Definition of Term

Ganja Smoking – Is the inhalation of smoke or vapor released by heating the flowers leaves,

extracts of ganja and releasing the main psychoactive chemical youths which is absorbed into the

blood stream via the lungs.

Cause- A person or things that gives rise to an action phenome or condition.

Effect- A change which result or consequence of an action or other cause.

Solution- A mean of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation.

Research Questions

1. What is the main cause of Ganja Smoking among young people in Nightingale Grove?

2. What is the main effect of Ganja Smoking among young people in Nightingale Grove?

3. What is the main solution of Ganja Smoking among young people in Nightingale Grove?

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Task 2

Reason for selecting area of research.

The researcher is conducting this research on ganja smoking because as a residing member

for Seventeen years, it has been observed that it is a fast-growing concern for members of the

community. Ganja Smoking can affect the mental as, well as the physical health of the

youths in the community. It is therefore the aim as the researcher to investigate the main

cause, effect and solution of ganja smoking among young people.

The information that is garnered from this research can be used to inform other studies and

can be used to help put policies in place to alleviate ganja smoking and its effects on youths.

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Task 3
Method of Investigation

In order to collect data for the survey, the researcher has decided to use printed

questionnaires

According to the Oxford Dictionary a questionnaire is a list of written question that are

answered by a number of people so that the information can be collected from the answers

The questionnaire as a tool for collecting data has a number of advantages; these include but

are not limited to:

 it requires a limited amount of time to be completed.

 It guarantees confidentiality since respondents are not required to attach their names.

 It can be done at the convenience of the person required to complete it.

 It can be easily analyzed

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Task 4
Method of data collection
Dear Residents,

This survey is being carried out in the community of Nightingale Grove to find out

the cause, effect and solution of ganja smoking in the community. This survey is being

conducted as a work task of my Social Studies School Based Assessment that the researcher is

currently undertaking. The researcher decided to use questionnaire which does not required

personal information. You are expected to answer the questions honestly. All question can be

answered by putting a tick in the box. √

Thank you for your cooperation

Your Truly,
J. Esson

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 QUESTIONAIRES
1. What is your gender?
Male
Female

2. To which age group do you belong?

15-18 years old
18-20 years old
20-25 years old
25 years and older

3. How long have you lived in the community of Nightingale Grove?

1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15years
15 years and over

4. Do you think the use of ganja smoking among young people is increasing in the community of
Nightingale Grove?
Yes
No
Not Sure

5. Do you know of youths who smoke ganja?

Yes
No

6. Do you smoke ganja?

No Yes
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7. Who mainly contributes to ganja smoking among youths in Nightingale Grove?
Parents
Stranger
Peers
Guardians

8. What is the main cause of youths smoking in the community?

Peer Pressure
Experimentation
To relax and relieve stress.
Seeing my parents do it.

9. How often do youths smoke ganja in the community?

0-1 times daily
3-5 times daily
5-10 times daily

10. What percentage of youths in the community smoke?

0-20 %
21-40%
41-60%
61% and over

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11.Which age group smokes the most?
Under 15 years old
15-18 years old
18-29 years old
29 years and older

12. Who does ganja smoking affect the most?

Teenager
Adult
Elderly Person
Insane People

13. What do you think is the main effects that ganja smoking has on the lives of young people in
Nightingale Grove?
Financial Problems
Family Breakdown as separation with family
Anxiety problems as wanting to know what it’s like
Leads to addiction of other hard drugs. E.g., Cocaine is the main

14. Which of these do you think is mostly to happen to the youths in the community if ganja
smoking is not reduced?
Death
Health Issues
Mentally Ill/ Insane
Loss of concentration and damage to brain cells so they are unable to focus on future studies.

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15. What can be done by residents in the community of Nightingale Grove to reduce ganja
smoking among youths in the community?
Counsel the youths on the dangers of smoking
Seek to get them in rehabilitation programs
Instill proper values and attitude in youths
Start a mentorship programme within the community

16. What is the main programme that the government can implement to reduce ganja smoking in
Nightingale Grove?
Mentorship Programme
Health Fairs
Rehabilitation Programme
Create jobs and recreational opportunities for youths

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Procedure

Nightingale Grove is a very small community with approximately fifty (50) households. It was

calculated that a sample size of 20% was necessary in order for an accurate conclusion on Ganja

smoking in Nightingale Grove.

A total of twenty (20) questionnaires were put together and sent out electrically via WhatsApp. It

was expected that at least fifteen (15) return, however only 14 questionnaires were returned. Of

the number fifty-seven percent (57%) were male and forty-three percent (43%) were female

between the age range of 15 to 25 years and older.

The researcher decided to choose the household by the random selection process which will

cater to all requirements previously mentioned. A random sample is a some of person chosen

from a large set in which a number of people are chosen randomly, all with the same probability.

The researcher scrolled within her contacts and choose random numbers of twenty (20) persons

and share with them a copy (link) of the questionnaires for them to complete. This took two to

three (2-3) weeks to be completed from December 8 to December 16 2022.

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Task 6

Presentation of Data

A total of a 20 questionnaires were distributed to residents Nightingale Grove of which 14 were

returned. Of the respondents 43% were females and 57% were males.

Pie chart showing the main cause of ganja

smoking in the Nightingale Grove community

15%
25%
Peer Pressure
Experimentation
To relax/relieve stress
15% Seeing my parents doing it

45%

Figure 1 shows the main cause of ganja smoking in the community of Nightingale Grove. It can

be seen that the respondents believe that the main cause of Ganja smoking in the community is

experimentation (45%). Other causes of ganja smoking include peer pressure (25%), to relax/

relieve stress (15%) and because they saw their parents smoking (15%).

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Pie chart showing the effects of Ganja Smoking on the Community

14%
30%

Financial Problem

Family Breakdown as Separation

28% with Family

Anxiety Problem Wanting To Know

What It Is Like
28% Leads To Addiction Of Other Hard
Drugs

Figure 2 Pie Chart showing the main effects of Ganja Smoking in the Community of

Nightingale Grove. The chart shows that 30% of respondents believe that the main effect of

ganja smoking financial problem, 28% think it is family breakdown/separation, another 28% of

respondents believe that the main effect of ganja smoking is anxiety problem and wanting to be

liked while 14% believes that it lead to addiction and use of other drugs.

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Bar chart showing what residents believe will happen to the youths in the community if ganja
smoking is not reduced?

80
75%
70

60

50

40

30

20
10% 10%
10
5%

0
Death Health Issues Mental Illness/Insane Loss of Concentration

Figure 3 shows what residents believe will happen to the youths in the community if ganja

smoking is not reduced. It shows that 75% of the respondent believe that the main thing that will

happen to youth if ganja smoking is not reduced is health issues, 10% believe that it is Mental

illness, another 10% believe it is loss of concentration and 5% believe that it can cause death.

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Table showing the main solutions that can be taken to solve Ganja smoking by residents in the
community of Nightingale Grove.

What residents can do to reduce ganja smoking Respondents

in the community

Counsel the youths on the dangers of smoking 15%

Seek to get them in rehabilitation programs 70%

Instill proper values and attitude in youths 5%

Start a mentorship programme within the 10%

community

Figure 4 shows the main solutions that can be taken to solve Ganja smoking in the community of

Nightingale Grove. It can be seen that Seventy Percent (70%) of residents believe the main

solution that they can implement in the community is get ganja smokers into rehabilitation

programmes, while Fifteen (15%) believe that youths should be counseled about the dangers of

smoking, Ten percent (10%) believe that a mentorship programme within the community would

help to reduce the problem of ganja smoking among the youths and Five (5%) believe that instill

proper values and attitude in youths would help to solve the problem.

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Table showing the main programme that the government can implement to reduce ganja smoking
in Nightingale Grove?

What the Government can do to reduce ganja Respondents

smoking in the community

Provide mentorship program 15%

Conduct Health fairs 5%

Create jobs and recreational opportunities for 70%

youths

Implement a rehabilitation programme for 10%

youths

Figure 5 shows the main programme that the government can implement to reduce ganja

smoking in Nightingale Grove. It can be seen that Seventy Percent (70%) of residents believe the

main solution that the government can implement in the community is create job and recreational

opportunities for youths, while Fifteen (15%) believe that a mentorship programme would help

to reduce ganja smoking among the youths in the community, Ten percent (10%) believe that

implementing a rehabilitation programme for youths within the community would help to reduce

the problem of ganja smoking among the youths and Five (5%) believe that conducting health

fairs in the community would help to solve the problem.

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Analysis and Interpretation of Data

Ganja smoking is a concern in the community of Nightingale Grove. There has been a steady

increase in this phenomena over the past Seventeen years, so much so that teenagers are now

openly smoking ganja. The survey carried out was to identify the cause, effect and solution to

this increasing problem in the community of Nightingale Grove. The persons who took part in

this survey are very concerned about this practice as it can have very serious consequences.

Of the persons who took part in this research 43% of the respondents were females while 57%

were males.

Figure 1 shows the main cause of ganja smoking in the community. It can be seen that 45% of

the respondents believe that the main cause is experimentation, 25% of the respondents think it is

as a result of peer pressure in the community. This issue was highlighted on the Jamaica

Information Service with Dr. Christopher Tufton, Jamaica’s Minister of Health, saying that

‘many teens enter into smoking because of curiosity and encouragement from peers,’ Television

Jamaica (TVJ) on July 22, 2017. The graph also shows that although these may not be that main

cause of ganja smoking some teen also smoke because they think it will help the to relax and

relieve stress (15%) and because their parents also smoke (15%).

Smoking ganja has many effects on the individual and the family. Figure 2 shows the main

effects of ganja smoking in the community. It can be seen that 30% of the respondents believe

that the main effect of ganja smoking is that it causes financial problems. This is so because

many persons will use the last of their money to buy Ganja instead of other worthwhile goods

and services. Twenty-eight percent (28%) of respondents thinks it is Ganja smoking leads to

addiction to other drugs while 14% thinks it causes family breakdown, conflict and separation

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within the family another 28 % thinks ganja smoking results in anxiety. According to Boehlke

(2018) Gangja smoking can have a very negative effect on the family. ‘The amount of money

that is spent on the drug can be significant. The money used for someone’s recreational drug use

or drug habit could be going to other things in the family such as bills, groceries and household

expenses. For some people who are caught using or carrying marijuana, they could face serious

jail time, probation and court costs and fines. If their employers are aware of their drug use or

they fail a drug test at work, they could be terminated. This could be a devastating blow to the

overall financial income that a family relies on.’

Figure 3 shows what the residents believe will happen to youths in the community if ganja

smoking is not reduced. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the respondents believe that the main

thing that can happen to the youth if ganja smoking is not reduced is health issues, 10% believes

that it is mental illness, and another 10% believes that it is loss of concentration and 5% believe

that it can cause death. There are many other effects of Ganja smoking. According to the CDC

(Centre of Disease Control and Prevention) (2021) Ganja smoking may also result in lung

cancers, mental health issues, poisoning, second hand smoking which may be detrimental to

persons with respiratory illnesses such as asthma, premature pregnancy and affect the unborn

child as well as impair judgment making it difficult to drive and operate other machinery.

Figure 4 shows the main solution that residents can do to reduce ganja smoking in the

community 15% of the respondents think they should counsel the youths on the dangers of

smoking, 5% think that they should install proper values and attitude in youths while10% thinks

that they should start a mentorship programme within the community 70% thinks that they

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should seek to get them in rehabilitation programs. This could be done in collaboration with the

government strategies outlined below.

Figure 5 shows the main solution that the government could do to reduce ganja smoking in the

community. Fifteen percent (15%) of respondents think that they should provide Mentorship

programmes, 5% think that they should conduct health fair to inform youths about the dangers of

smoking, 10% say that they should implement rehabilitation programs for youth while 70% says

that they should create jobs and recreational opportunities for youths. According to Standford

(2003) the government can also restrict smoking in public places and in the workplace; curb

smuggling; promote smoking cessation and health education campaigns.

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Findings

According to 57% of the respondents the main cause of ganja smoking in the community of

Nightingale Grove is Experimentation.

The main effect of ganja smoking on the people in Nightingale Grove is financial problems as

stated by the other 30% of respondents.

The main solution to the issue of Ganja smoking in the community is to implement rehabilitation

programmes according to 70% of the respondents.

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Recommendation and Implementation Strategy

Ganja Smoking is a very serious problem in the community and by extension in the country.

To remedy the problem the residents in the community can:

1. Have a public education campaign educating residents about Ganja smoking and its

effects on the family and on one’s physical and mental health.

2. Offer counseling/guidance to persons who are currently smoking and provide support to

help them to stop.

The community can implement recommendation one by:

issuing pamphlets and brochures about effects of Ganja smoking to community

members as well as inviting personnel from the Ministry of Health to speak to

persons who smoke, and having regular seminars at the community health centre

about Ganja smoking and its effects on the family and on one’s physical and mental

health.

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 Bibliography

Boehlke, J. (2018) How marijuana addiction affect a family. Retrieved from

https://healthfully.com/negative-effects-from-drug-abuse-4015908.html

Brathwaite, S., Gill, J., Wilson M. (2012) Caribbean Social Studies for CSEC. Oxford: Oxford

University Press

Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2021) Health effects of Marijuana. Retrieved

from https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects/index.html

Standford A. National Library of Medicine (2003) Government action to reduce smoking.

Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12856736/

Umraw, R.R. & Ramsawak, R (2012). Modules in Social Studies Fifth Edition. Caribbean

Educational Publishers (2003) Ltd.

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